Fargo recipe featured in book

A Fargo woman's recipe is once again featured in an annual Wal-Mart cookbook.

Karen Kay Guck's recipe for Cherry Bars is included in the 2008 Wal-Mart Family Cookbook.

This is the seventh year

Wal-Mart has solicited recipes from its employees for a cookbook. Five regional editions are printed, each featuring 68 recipes. The cookbooks sell for $4.96.

This is the third recipe by Guck to be selected. Previous editions included her Cream Cheese Banana Bread and her Blueberry Dessert Salad.

According to the cookbook, Guck's mother prepared these bars for family gatherings.

Cherry Bars

No-stick cooking spray

3 cups all-purpose flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1¾ cups granulated sugar

1 cup butter, softened

4 eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, divided

1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling

1 cup sifted powdered sugar

2 to 4 teaspoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 15-by-10-by-1-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla; beat until combined. Add flour mixture; beat until just combined. Set aside 1 cup of dough.

Spread remaining dough in prepared pan. Spread pie filling over dough. Drop reserved dough by teaspoons on top of pie filling. Bake about 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on wire rack.

In small bowl, combine powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in enough milk to make drizzling consistency. Drizzle over bars. Makes 24.

Recipe created by Karen Kay Guck, Fargo Fargo recipe featured in book Forum staff reports 20080102